Aerosol composition

ABSTRACT

An aerosol composition which reduces adhesive build up on surfaces. The aerosol composition includes a slow evaporating solvent, a propellant, and a base material selected from a petroleum based oil or a silicone fluid. The solvent is generally present in an amount of not more than about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition, the base material is generally present in an amount of about 5% to about 25% by weight of the aerosol composition, and the propellant is generally present in an amount of about 25% to about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an aerosol composition which reduces adhesive residue build up on surfaces. The aerosol composition includes a base material selected from a petroleum based oil or a silicone fluid, which coats and protects the surface, a slow evaporating solvent which acts as a protective barrier between the surface and adhesive material, and a propellant.

[0002] Adhesives are commonly used in industrial and consumer applications. Application systems to apply adhesive materials include dispensers such as adhesive spray guns. The adhesive is housed in a compartment within the spray gun or applicator and delivered to an aperture from which it is ejected onto a desired surface.

[0003] Most adhesives are composed of synthetic polymers and are designed to create a film which is tacky and resistant to contaminants that may degrade the tacky characteristic. By design, an adhesive film must not soften and release its hold on a substrate. The same properties which are desirable in the adhesive are problematic in delivering the adhesive from an applicator. Adhesive residue can build-up on the surfaces of the dispenser, resulting in clogging. The adhesive residue must then be removed by the user of the dispenser, which is time consuming and disruptive in the adhesive application process.

[0004] There is, therefore, need for an aerosol which reduces adhesive build-up on the surfaces of the dispenser. There is also a need for an aerosol composition which reduces adhesive build-up on surfaces other surfaces as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention meets this need by providing an aerosol composition including a solvent having an evaporation rate of no more than about 2, a propellant, and a base material selected from a petroleum based oil or a silicone fluid. As used herein, the term “evaporation rate” is the ratio of the rate of evaporation of a given solvent to the rate of evaporation of n-butyl acetate.

[0006] The solvent is generally present in an amount of not more than about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition, typically about 25% to about 50% by weight of the aerosol composition. Suitable solvents include, but are not limited to, toluene, xylene, methyl isobutyl ketone, mineral spirits, naphtha, cycloparaffins, synthetic isoparaffinic hydrocarbons, parachlorobenzotrifluoride, or mixtures thereof.

[0007] The base material is generally present in an amount of about 5% to about 25% by weight of the aerosol composition, typically about 5% to about 15% by weight of the aerosol composition. Suitable petroleum based oils include, but are not limited to, paraffinic oils, naphthenic oils, oils having an aromatic content of 11 to 38 clay-gel weight percent and an aniline cloud point of about 185° F. to about 221° F., or mixtures thereof. Suitable silicone fluids include, but are not limited to, cyclic, branched, or linear siloxanes, including methylated siloxanes, such as completely methylated siloxanes.

[0008] The propellant is generally present in an amount of about 25% to about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition, typically about 40% to about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition. Suitable propellants include, but are not limited to, fluorocarbon propellants, particularly fluorocarbon propellants having a Volatile Organic Content VOC exempt status.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view, of one embodiment of a spray gun of the present invention, shown at rest with the trigger not depressed.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional top view of the valve assembly of FIG. 1 taken along the line A-A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The aerosol composition of the present invention comprises a solvent having an evaporation rate no more than about 2, a propellant, and a base material selected from a petroleum based oil or a silicone fluid.

[0012] The solvent has an evaporation rate of no more than about 2. Suitable solvents include, but are not limited to toluene, xylene, methyl isobutyl ketone, mineral spirits, naphtha, cycloparaffins, or mixtures thereof. Typical solvents include cycloparaffins, such as CYPAR® 7 and CYPAR® 9, available from Shell Chemical Co., which are not hazardous air pollutants (HAP). The solvent is generally present in an amount of not more than about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition, typically in the range of about 25% to about 50% by weight of the aerosol composition.

[0013] Suitable petroleum based oils include, but are not limited to, paraffinic and naphthenic oils, oils having an aromatic content of 11 to 38 clay-gel weight percent and an aniline cloud point of 185° F. to 221° F., and mixtures thereof. Naphthenic oils, including, but not limited to, Shellflex® 311, 371, 3271, 3311 and 3371, available from Shell Chemical Co., and Flexcon® 650, 660, 680 and 766, available from Exxon Mobil Corp., may be used. Paraffinic oils, including, but not limited to, Shellflex® 2210, and 2310, and Flexon® 845, available from Shell Chemical Co. and Exxon Mobil Corp., respectively, may also be used. Suitable silicone fluids include butane not limited to, cyclic, branched or linear siloxanes, including methylated siloxanes, such as completely methylated siloxanes. Completely methylated siloxanes have a VOC exempt status. Silicone fluids including, but not limited to, the SF-96® and Viscasil® series available from GE Silicones, may be used. The base material is generally present in an amount of about 5 to about 25% by weight, typically about 5% to about 15% by weight of the aerosol composition.

[0014] The aerosol composition also includes a propellant. Suitable propellants include, but are not limited to, fluorocarbon propellants having a VOC exempt status. Examples of suitable propellants include Fluorocarbon 134 and 152A available from E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company. The propellant is generally present in an amount of about 25% to about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition, typically about 40% to about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition.

[0015] The aerosol composition of the invention is particularly suitable for use with respect to water-based adhesives dispersed from an adhesive spray gun. The propellant component of the aerosol composition provides the pressure needed to expel latent adhesive from behind the tip of the spray gun, which adhesive has the potential to clog the gun if allowed to dry. The slow evaporating solvent component of the aerosol composition acts as a hydrophobic barrier, which aids in keeping the tip clean by preventing any latent adhesive from wetting out the area behind the spray tip. The slow evaporation rate of the solvent will also prolong the drying rate of adhesive left behind after the aerosol composition has been released. As the solvent evaporates, the base material of the aerosol composition is left behind and coats the tip surfaces. The base material will not only further retard the adhesive drying rate, but it will also prevent latent adhesive from sticking to the tip surfaces. Moreover, since the aerosol composition is hydrophobic, it is not miscible with the water-based adhesive and will not coagulate with it. This can be important because many water-based adhesives have limited stability with respect to various chemicals at low concentrations.

[0016]FIGS. 1 and 2 show one example of a spray gun in which the aerosol composition of the present invention could be used. Sprayer 200 is disclosed more fully in copending application Ser. No. ______ (ITW 0003 PA), filed concurrently herewith, and which is hereby incorporated by reference. Sprayer 200 includes sprayer tip 410 with aperture 415 therethrough for spraying or dispensing adhesive 400 and aerosol composition 500. The sprayer 200 further includes adhesive chamber 420. Adhesive chamber 420 receives the adhesive 400 from adhesive inlet 425. Adhesive inlet 425 would be connected to an adhesive container. Adhesive chamber outlet 430 is selectively opened and closed by slider 435 and shaft 440. Slider 435 includes needle 437. Shaft 440 is attached to slider 435, and slider 435 reciprocates within adhesive chamber 420. When shaft 440 is in the forward position shown in FIG. 1, needle 437 is inserted into opening 439 and slider 435 seats against seat 445, closing adhesive chamber outlet 430. Adhesive 400 is blocked from flowing and is not dispensed from sprayer tip 410. When the reciprocation of slider 435 opens adhesive chamber outlet 430, slider 435 is withdrawn from seat 445 and needle 437 is withdrawn from opening 439. Adhesive 400 flows around slider 435 and needle 439 and is dispensed from sprayer tip 410.

[0017] Aerosol composition 500 is introduced through aerosol composition chamber outlet 450. Aerosol composition chamber outlet 450 is selectively opened and closed by needle valve 455. When needle valve 455 is closed as shown in FIG. 2, aerosol composition 500 cannot flow through aerosol composition chamber outlet 450. When needle valve 455 is opened by inserting it into a valve on the top of an aerosol can (not shown) of aerosol composition, aerosol composition 500 flows through needle valve 455, channel 460, and into annular channel 463. Aerosol composition 500 enters at the side of annular channel 463 and exits at the top of the annular channel 463 through check valve channel 465. It then flows through check valve 467, down through groove 469, through opening 439, and out through spray tip 410.

[0018] Adhesive 400 will fill groove 469. A check valve 467 is placed in check valve channel 465 to prevent adhesive 400 from being pushed into any other channels or chambers. The presence of check valve 467 adjacent to spray tip 210 minimizes the amount of aerosol composition required to displace the adhesive 400.

[0019] The design allows the aerosol composition 500 to be injected along the side of the gun. The direction of flow is changed so that the check valve can be placed above the needle helping to evacuate latent adhesive behind the fluid tip.

[0020] The design also allows for easy assembly of the sprayer. By including annular channel 463, channel 460 and check valve channel 465 do not have to line up during assembly. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, channel 460 is in the inlet body 421, while the check valve channel 465 is in check valve body 423. Without the annular channel 463, simply tightening the assembly too much or not enough could cause misalignment of channel 460 and check valve channel 465, preventing or restricting flow of the aerosol composition. If desired, there can be a gasket 427 between inlet body 421 and check valve body 423. The gasket 427 has a center hole to allow the flow of adhesive 400 and a series of smaller holes around the circumference to allow flow of the aerosol composition 500 through the annular channel 463. Gasket 427 prevents adhesive 400 and aerosol composition 500 from flowing out of their designated paths.

[0021] Trigger 470 is journaled to pivot about pivot point 475 on body 480 of sprayer 200. Trigger 470 includes boss 485 at a central upward location thereon which drives valve drive shaft 490. Valve drive shaft 490 is received within aperture 495 in body 480 and is biased by spring 500 within aperture 495 which urges valve drive shaft 490, in the absence of other forces (such as manual pressure by the user), to the position shown, wherein the adhesive 400 is blocked from flowing by slider 435. Valve drive shaft 490 is connected to shaft 440 so that shaft 440 moves in concert with valve drive shaft 490.

[0022] When trigger 470 is depressed, shaft 440 withdraws slider 435 from seat 445 and needle 437 from opening 439, opening adhesive chamber outlet 430. Adhesive 400 flows through adhesive chamber 420, around slider 435 and needle 437 and out through sprayer tip 410. When the trigger is released, slider 435 moves forward to seat against seat 445 and needle 437 enters opening 439, closing adhesive chamber outlet 430.

[0023] With the adhesive chamber outlet 430 closed, the valve of a container of aerosol composition (not shown) is contacted with needle valve 455. Needle valve 455 opens, allowing the aerosol composition 500 to flow through needle valve 455, into chamber 460, through annular channel 463, check valve channel 465, check valve 467, groove 469, and out through sprayer tip 410. Aerosol composition 500, such as a aerosol composition, cleans and wets everything it comes into contact with. Aerosol composition 500 can be under pressure, which allows the check valve 470 to open and remain open until the needle valve 455 is disengaged from the aerosol composition container.

[0024] The aerosol composition is not limited to use with the spray gun description. Any suitable spray gun could be used. Other examples of spray guns in which the aerosol composition of the present invention could be used include those disclosed in copending application Ser. No. ______ (ITW 0003 PA), filed concurrently herewith, and which is hereby incorporated by reference. The aerosol composition need not be used in conjunction with a spray gun as described above. Rather, the aerosol composition could be applied from an aerosol dispenser to a portion of a surface to mask it before applying an adhesive. The presence of the aerosol composition would help prevent the adhesive from adhering to the surface in the masked area.

[0025] The following examples are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

[0026] Aerosol compositions were prepared having the following proportions: Component (weight %) A1 A2 Base Material 12.5 12.5 Solvent-naphtha 37.5 Solvent-cycloparaffin 37.5 Propellant 50 50 100 100

EXAMPLE 2

[0027] Aerosol compositions can be prepared having the following components: Components (weight %) A B C D E F G Petroleum based oil 5 10 15 10 15 5 10 Solvent-cycloparaffin 45 40 35 55 50 35 30 Propellant 50 50 50 35 35 60 60

[0028] Aerosol compositions A1 and A2 were was shown to clear the tip of the spray gun for an indefinite period. These results were achieved by discharging the aerosol composition into the fluid passages of the gun (i.e., chamber 16 and tip 12) after the adhesive had been dispensed. Tests have shown that the aerosol composition not only discharged all latent adhesive behind the tip, but also prevented the adhesive from drying and building up on the tip which could have led to clogging.

[0029] When the spray gun was not treated with the aerosol composition after discharging the adhesive, the gun tip was observed to clog in as little as five minutes.

[0030] While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the compositions and methods disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. An aerosol composition which reduces adhesive buildup on a surface comprising: a solvent having an evaporation rate of no more than about 2; a propellant; and a base material selected from a petroleum based oil or a silicone fluid.
 2. The aerosol composition of claim 1 wherein the solvent is present in an amount of not more than about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition.
 3. The aerosol composition of claim 1 wherein the solvent is present in an amount of about 25% to about 50% by weight of the aerosol composition.
 4. The aerosol composition of claim 1 wherein the solvent is selected from toluene, xylene, methyl isobutyl ketone, mineral spirits, naphtha, cycloparaffins, synthetic isoparaffinic hydrocarbons, parachlorobenzofluoride, or mixtures thereof.
 5. The aerosol composition of claim 1 wherein the base material is present in an amount of about 5% to about 25% by weight of the aerosol composition.
 6. The aerosol composition of claim 1 wherein the base material is present in an amount of about 5% to about 15% by weight of the aerosol composition.
 7. The aerosol composition of claim 1 wherein the base material is a petroleum based oil selected from paraffinic oils, naphthenic oils, oils having an aromatic content of 11 to 38 clay-gel weight percent and an aniline cloud point of about 185° F. to about 221° F., or mixtures thereof.
 8. The aerosol composition of claim 1 wherein the base material is a silicone fluid selected from cyclic, branched, or linear siloxanes.
 9. The aerosol composition of claim 8 wherein the siloxanes are methylated siloxanes.
 10. The aerosol composition of claim 1 wherein the propellant is present in an amount of about 25% to about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition.
 11. The aerosol composition of claim 1 wherein the propellant is present in an amount of about 40% to about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition.
 12. The aerosol composition of claim 1 wherein the propellant is a fluorocarbon propellant.
 13. The aerosol composition of claim 12 wherein the fluorocarbon propellant has a volatile organic content exempt status.
 14. The aerosol composition of claim 1 comprising solvent in an amount of not more than about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition, base material in an amount of about 5% to about 25% by weight of the aerosol composition, and propellant in an amount of about 25% to about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition.
 15. The aerosol composition of claim 1 comprising solvent in an amount of about 25% to about 50% by weight of the aerosol composition, base material in an amount of about 5% to about 15% by weight of the aerosol composition, and propellant in an amount of about 40% to about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition.
 16. An aerosol composition comprising: not more than about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition of a solvent having an evaporation rate of no more than about 2; about 25% to about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition of a propellant; and about 5% to about 25% by weight of the aerosol composition of a base material selected from a petroleum based oil or a silicone fluid.
 17. The aerosol composition of claim 16 wherein the solvent is present in an amount of about 25% to about 50% by weight of the aerosol composition.
 18. The aerosol composition of claim 16 wherein the solvent is selected from toluene, xylene, methyl isobutyl ketone, mineral spirits, naphtha, cycloparaffins, or mixtures thereof.
 19. The aerosol composition of claim 16 wherein the base material is present in an amount of about 5% to about 15% by weight of the aerosol composition.
 20. The aerosol composition of claim 16 wherein the base material is a petroleum based oil selected from paraffinic oils, naphthenic oils, oils having an aromatic content of 11 to 38 clay-gel weight percent and an aniline cloud point of about 185° F. to about 221° F., or mixtures thereof.
 21. The aerosol composition of claim 16 wherein the base material is a silicone fluid selected from cyclic, branched, or linear siloxanes.
 22. The aerosol composition of claim 21 wherein the siloxanes are methylated siloxanes.
 23. The aerosol composition of claim 16 wherein the propellant is present in an amount of about 40% to about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition.
 24. The aerosol composition of claim 16 wherein the propellant is a fluorocarbon propellant.
 25. The aerosol composition of claim 24 wherein the fluorocarbon propellant has a volatile organic content exempt status.
 26. The aerosol composition of claim 16 comprising solvent in an amount of about 25% to about 50% by weight of the aerosol composition, base material in an amount of about 5% to about 15% by weight of the aerosol composition, and propellant in an amount of about 40% to about 60% by weight of the aerosol composition. 